A catastrophic fire erupted in the Japanese city of Oita on Tuesday night, resulting in one fatality and extensive damage to 170 buildings. The blaze, which rapidly engulfed a densely populated residential area, also threatened nearby forested mountains, complicating firefighting efforts. According to local authorities, 188 residents were evacuated to a temporary shelter as firefighters battled the ferocious flames. Witnesses described the terrifying scene, with one resident recalling, ‘The flames rose high, turning the sky red. The wind was strong. I never thought it would spread so much.’ Another expressed his fear, stating, ‘I was shaking with fear. I’ve never seen a pillar of fire like that.’ The regional government confirmed the death of a 76-year-old man whose body was discovered in his home during a search operation. Mayor Shinya Adachi, who visited the site, expressed cautious optimism, noting that while the situation might be controlled by Wednesday, fully extinguishing the fire could take several more days. NHK reported that the fire’s rapid spread was likely fueled by dry weather conditions, minimal rainfall, and the prevalence of wooden structures in the area.